Clothesline prop



Feb. 11, 1941. E. E. EPLER CLOTHESLINE PROP Filed Nov. 1, 19:59

INVENTOR A TOBY M Patented Feb. 11, 1 941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE l 2,231,531 I CLOTHESIJNE PROP Elton E. Epler, Alma, Mich. Application November 1, 1939, Serial No. 302,276

' 2 Claims. (01. 248-353) This invention relates to props and more particularly to a nonslipping clothesline prop for supporting a clothesline in a predetermined position.

One of the prime objects of the invention is to provide a clothesline prop having at one end an anchoring device, and at the other end a line clamping means to prevent shifting or displacement of the prop on the line.

Another object of the invention is to provide quickly detachable end members so arranged and constructed that they can be easily and quickly secured to the body proper of the prop.

A further object is to provide a sectional clothesline prop, the center section or pole of which is made up of standard pipe or tubing which can be purchased in any hardware store so that both the clamping end member and the anchoring member can be quickly and easily assembled thereon by the purchaser or any other person unskilled in the art, thus facilitating the sale of the end members as separate individual parts with instructions to purchase standard pipe at a local hardware store, thus saving freight, packaging, and/or other handling.

Another object is to provide resilient means associated with the clamping means to the end that the clamping cap may be tensioned prior to the actual clamping operation and which also serves to prevent accidental displacement or unscrewing of the cap caused by gusts of wind and swinging of the line.

A still further object is to design a very simple, practical, and inexpensive line clamping means and anchoring means which can be compactly boxed for shipment so that they may be sold separate from the pole prop thus eliminating the shipping of the relatively long prop which would be unwieldy to ship, box, and handle.

With the above and other objects in view the present invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully despvribed, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the form, size, proportions, and minor details of construction without departing from the spirit of sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

50 In the drawing:

Fig. l is a view of the post and clothesline showing my prop in position.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged part sectional view of the prop.

55 Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view showing the clamping means clamped in position on the clothesline.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view thereof.

Referring now to the several figures in which I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, the reference numeral 8 indicates the body of the clothes prop which is preferably formed of a length of pipe or tubing threaded on its lower end as at 9 to accommodate an anchoring member ID which is internally threaded to facilitate attachment of the lower threaded end 10 of the prop, this prong member being formed with a pair of diverging pointed prongs I l which when inserted in the turf assists in stabilizing the structure.

The upper end of the clothes prop comprises a 15 fitting [2, the lower end of which is internally threaded as at I3 to accommodate the threaded upper end of the pipe, the upper end of this member being solid, and a rib I4 is provided intermediate its length. A vertically disposed slot [5 20 is formed in the upper solid end of the fitting l2 and is adapted to accommodate the clothesline for It which is inserted therein.

The upper end of the member i2 is externally threaded as shown and an internally threaded 25 cap member I! is adapted to be threaded thereon,

a tensionlng mechanism being provided in said cap, and comprising a fiat headed rivet member I8, the stem of which projects through a centrally disposed opening I9 provided in the cap, and a 30 washer 20 is provided on the lower end of the rivet stem, a coil spring 2| being interposed between said washer and the upper end of the cap, so that when the cap is threaded on the end of the member I2 the spring 2| will serve to tension and prevent 5 slippage of the member on the line or the accidental unscrewing of the cap due to vibration set up by strong winds.

In practice the clothesline is placed in the slot l5 and the cap I! is then threaded on the member 40 12, the end of the rivet assembly resting on the upper end of the member l2 and presenting very little resistance to the initial application of the cap; but as the cap is threaded down, so that the lower edge engages against and clamps the clothesline It, the spring member 2| will be further compressed and will serve to tension the cap and prevent the accidental unscrewing thereof and/or loosening of the clamping means on the line, and which ofttimes occurs when clothes are hung out on a windy day and/or when heavy articles are hung on the line directly adjacent one side of the prop, and comparatively light articles are hung on the line on the opposite side of the prop.

The device is simple, practical, and weatherproof, it prevents slippage of the prop on the line or on the turf, and the clamping means and anchoring means can be made up separately and shipped to purchasers all over the country, the purchasers buying the body of the prop in the local hardware store and thus saving packing and freight costs which would be otherwise required.

From the foregoing description, it will be obvious that I have perfected a very simple, practical, durable, attractive, and weather-proof clothes prop for properly supporting clotheslines, and preventing shifting or slippage of the prop under all conditions.

What I claim is:

1. A clothesline prop having anchoring means on the one end, and a line clamping means on the other end, said clamping means comprising an internally threaded fitting adapted to be detachably mounted on one end of the prop, the upper end of said fitting being solid and having a vertical clothesline accommodating slot therein, a cap threaded over the solid end of said fitting with its lower edge engaging the clothesline to clamp it in said slot, and resilient means mounted in said cap and interposed between the cap and the end of the fitting to tension said cap and prevent accidental unscrewing thereof.

2. A clothesline prop having a multiple pronged anchoring means at the one end, and a clothesline clamping means on the other end, said clamping means comprising an internally threaded fitting adapted for detachable mounting on one end of the prop, the upper end of said fitting being solid and having a vertically disposed slot therein and adapted to accommodate a clothesline, a cap threaded on the solid end of the fitting the lower edge of which engages said clothesline to clamp it in said slot, an opening in the upper end of said cap, a pin slidably mounted therein, a washer fixed on the lower end of the pin and bearing against said fitting, and a spring interposed between the washer and the end of the cap for tensioning the cap when it is screwed down to clamp the prop in position on said line.

ELTON E. EPLER. 

